outboard downsizing

[snardlump]

I'm looking to replace my tired old Nissan 50D and am seriously thinking about downsizing to something in the 9.9 hp area. Where I boat, sailing is not practical, so I motor 100% of the time and mostly prefer low speeds (~12KPH) for the sake of peace and fuel efficiency. There are no tides or intense seas here, just occasionally strong winds. I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are as to what small outboard would be best suited to my needs/desires.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[snardlump]

I guess it would have helped to include that I'm referring to a 26x.

[Tomfoolery]

Since it has a 50 hp on there now, and you're posting in the 'powersailer' section, I guess it's safe to assume you have an or an (you really should put the model, year, and engine make and model in your profile). I don't know, but for a 26 ft boat with high freeboard, I would think 15 hp would be a better match. 9.9 hp sounds a bit light when fighting stiff winds, though in calm weather I'm sure a 9.9 could push that boat along just fine.

Edit: Beat me to it.

[WASP18]

My thoughts were on 25hp for less noise at your planned cruise speed and reserve power if you need it.

[dlandersson]

Some insurance companies (Shelter for example) include your boat in their basic policy at no additional cost if the outboard is 25 hp or less.

I'm looking to replace my tired old Nissan 50D and am seriously thinking about downsizing to something in the 9.9 hp area. Where I boat, sailing is not practical, so I motor 100% of the time and mostly prefer low speeds (~12KPH) for the sake of peace and fuel efficiency. There are no tides or intense seas here, just occasionally strong winds. I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are as to what small outboard would be best suited to my needs/desires.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[snardlump]

I've been reading about various models and brands and the Bigfoot 9.9 seems an obvious choice. With lower gearing, it theoretically would be better suited to pushing a Mac without needing to be throttled up as much.

[Hardcrab]

I'd look for the smallest motor that had a remote throttle/shift, electric start, and ease of hook up to the wheel steering.
Not sure what HP is the beginning of these features.

[Russ]

Not to sound like a kill joy, but why not trade the boat in for a 26' powerboat. You'll have more room and comfort. If you power 100% of the time, seems like a waste to have a powersailor and never sail it.

Ditching the 50 will also lower the resale value as it's no longer a POWER sailor.

[fouz]

Since you bring it up what power boat would you recommend to replace a Mac?
Most i have seen are around twice the weight of a Mac. Drink 3 times the fuel to run the same speed at wot. Most would just be alot more money to operate.

I just wondering if there is a comparable power boat out there. Trailerable, fuel consumption, cabin room?

Not to sound like a kill joy, but why not trade the boat in for a 26' powerboat. You'll have more room and comfort. If you power 100% of the time, seems like a waste to have a powersailor and never sail it.

Ditching the 50 will also lower the resale value as it's no longer a POWER sailor.

[raycarlson]

you;ll never find a comparable 26 footer in a power boat,keep you mac, its the best bargain out there unless your a very wealthy person who has money to burn.

[WASP18]

Check this out then check their prices. Nice boat but you could buy a few Macs for the price of a Rosborough pocket trawler.

http://www.rosboroughboats.com/

[dlandersson]

How about a little outside the box thinking? I often by old laptop just for the MS license numbers.

A Mac 25 with 7.5 hp Merc is $3,000

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MacGrego ... 232096b149

Since you bring it up what power boat would you recommend to replace a Mac?
Most i have seen are around twice the weight of a Mac. Drink 3 times the fuel to run the same speed at wot. Most would just be alot more money to operate.

I just wondering if there is a comparable power boat out there. Trailerable, fuel consumption, cabin room?

Not to sound like a kill joy, but why not trade the boat in for a 26' powerboat. You'll have more room and comfort. If you power 100% of the time, seems like a waste to have a powersailor and never sail it.

Ditching the 50 will also lower the resale value as it's no longer a POWER sailor.

[mastreb]

I would not bother with a motor over 9.9hp if you don't intend to plane. 15 and 25hp motors will not get an X or M up on a plane, and when run over the hull speed you're just going to plow and waste a lot of fuel to get to maybe 8 knots. The better hole-shot to get moving or stop movement would be the only purpose of them, and that's just not worth the money in my opinion. Technically an 8hp will get the X and M up to hull speeds--the 9.9 is already more hp than necessary for that purpose.

You can sell a Mac with a small motor, and while yes it will be worth less, it will also have cost less and you'll ultimately be money ahead. People are paying mostly for the hull on a used boat, as you can see by comparing prices for the same year X and Ms with small outboards vs. 50s and 60s. The difference in used price does not make up for the difference in outboard cost.

[bartmac]

We run a 15HP Suzuki 4 stroke c/w a high thrust 4 blade prop....probably more than the 26x needs to reach hull speed....it does it at slightly less than half throttle.Our thoughts were to have a motor that has a bit in reserve...and it does...whether we will need it or whether it will make a difference we've not been tested in adverse conditions.Fuel consumption is in the order of 1-2 litres per hour but we've been going with the tides as a rule 4-5 km/p/h and probably been throttling back to reduce noise.One hard run against the tide saw consumption increase to over 2 litres (guesstimate) We purchased our Mac not for its top speed but for its interior size and trailability.The conclusion we reached that any motor less than 50hp wasn't going make it plane so 15 was a good compromise.

[Boblee]

My thoughts were on 25hp for less noise at your planned cruise speed and reserve power if you need it.

Yep for sure a smaller motor will get you to hull speed which is about 1-1500 rpm on the etc 50hp but wind, tide, noise or just wanting to get somewhere a bit quicker it might be better to use a 20-25hp and IMHO it will be cheaper to run especially if a four stroke or even one of the new 2 strokes.
Our 50hp etec is more economical to run at hull speed fully loaded towing the 3.6 ally dinghy loaded than just the dinghy with the 15hp honda at much over 1/2 throttle.
Mind you the Etec running at half or full throttle sure can gulp some fuel too which makes planning for a long trip when there are no chances to refuel or get clean and suitable fuel a bit hard to plan.